Yesterday we got to practice patience, something we’re told we’ll need plenty of in getting around in Indonesia. Friday we flew into Santa Barbara from Phoenix. Months ago I promised to do the memorial service for a parishioner of my former congregation. The memorial was this morning at 11am. We made it to the Santa… Continue reading Practicing Patience
Category: Change
Making Connections
As a newly Called global church worker, making connections with pastors to come and visit their congregations can be challenging. I know from experience as a parish pastor there are plenty of agencies and groups – all good organizations, to be sure – hoping to get word of their work and invitations to support it… Continue reading Making Connections
A Bit About Chronology Here
Just as a heads up, I try to keep this blog more or less chronological. But being human, I’m also prone to lapses of memory. Add to that juggling technology in terms of whether the photos for the day are on my wife’s phone or mine, and sometimes things get lost in the shuffle, at… Continue reading A Bit About Chronology Here
Ambushing Pastors
Both parishes I served prior to embarking on this new role of theological educator were relatively small. Visitors were relatively rare, whether congregants or members of the larger city stopping by at random. By and large I enjoyed unexpected drop-ins, depending on what I was working on at the moment. Certainly there were times when… Continue reading Ambushing Pastors
Flexibility
One of the big things they try to ascertain about someone considering overseas church work is how flexible you are. Are you able to adapt to changing circumstances? Are you able to regroup, think on your feet, and problem-solve in light of shifting realities? It’s not something everyone is gifted at, but it’s important when… Continue reading Flexibility
Lord of Life Lutheran, Sioux Falls
It’s often observed that the Lutheran world is a fairly small and interconnected one. Even for someone without the strong familial ties to greater Luther-dom, it’s obvious and impressive in some respects. And since my wife’s family does have pastors in the family tree, their connections are a lot deeper and more extensive than mine.… Continue reading Lord of Life Lutheran, Sioux Falls
Travel Day!
Today we bid goodbye to our friends and hosts – the Asburys – in Norfolk. This necessitated a bus ride to Omaha, where we rented a car and headed to Sioux City, IA. I’ve actually wanted to ride a Greyhound bus ever since I first heard Simon & Garfunkle’s haunting tune America. A desire I’ve… Continue reading Travel Day!
A Quiet Day
Introverts tasked with meeting people and sharing about our lives present and future need quiet time in between to recharge. It’s not that we don’t enjoy time with others and meeting new people. In fact, ironically, we love it. But it exacts an emotional and even physical price that we try to take into account.… Continue reading A Quiet Day
Touching the Future
Think about today. Or tomorrow? How does it look? I used to know what each day of the week would look like, more or less. Waking up to have breakfast with the family before heading to work. Thursdays up extra early to prep for in-depth Bible study. A bagel and black tea to help me… Continue reading Touching the Future
Move Completed!
Well, the first one at least! Monday afternoon we completed packing and left Santa Barbara. By Tuesday evening the truck was unpacked, with our few remaining belongings in a storage unit and access to where we’ll be staying for the next three months accomplished. We’re grateful that the massive sell-off and give away of most… Continue reading Move Completed!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 